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divanita2006

LAP-BAND Patients
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Posts posted by divanita2006

  1. Posted

    I know Dr. Alvarez and his team quite well. I also researched his background, the number of VSG's he had performed, and his complication rate. His surgical record was impeccable, and his compassion and care is first rate. I'l see him again in July for the VSG surgery. His nurses, his coordinator, etc; they treated me as if I was royalty. Lovely facilities and upgraded suites with internet in the rooms. If you need more info on Dr, A; I would love to share it with you:kelleyanita@sbcglobal.net

  4. Posted

    After several months of upper GI's endoscopies, and reflux, I had my band unfilled. I've been feeling fine since the unfill, yet I gained 15 lbs.

    I decided to get a revision from band to the sleeve. On surgery day, the Dr. removed my band system, but was unable to do the sleeve. My band had eroded my stomach tissue, so the tissue was too thin to staple.

    I never would have known about the erosion, since there were no symptoms. I am very thankful that I have such an experienced and caring physician to take care of me. I will be able to get the sleeve in 4-6 months, after I heal.

    Just thought I'd share my experiences.

    Anita

  5. Posted

    Sometimes you all need to hear how wonderful you are to share your experiences. Wow! I did not realize how comforting it feels to know I'm not alone.

    I haven't posted on LBT in a while. The good news is that I lost more weight than I ever expected, from 250 to 150 in about 14 months. The tough news is that I started having problems keeping solid food down, and had to insist on a GI. The PA told me it was unnecessary. I paid out of pocket, and did the GI on 9/1. The test revealed esophageal dilation, and the barium would not go down for 10-15 minutes. The band doc took out all of the fill, then told me that the band should come out. I will go for an endoscopy this month, and depending on the results, the band may need to come out.

    Do I feel failure? Heck, no. The band helped me lose 100 pounds that I never could have lost on my own. Am I scared? Heck yes! I can eat more since I have no restriction. Thank goodness that I am physically active, and a picky eater. Will I rely on willpower to keep the weight off?

    Willpower did not work before, why would it magically work now?

    My plan is, if the band needs to come out, I will want to do a revision at the same time. I have bariatric coverage, but it may not pay for a skinny woman's revision. I may have to pay for it all myself, but I would rather invest in maintaining my weight than go back to high blood pressure, gasping for breath, pre-diabetes, and afraid of fitting in an airline seat.

    Thank you all for having the courage to share your very personal challenges.

    Love and Blessings,:whoo:

  9. Posted

    Janet:

    You are gorgeous in that red! Your face looks even younger than before. Most of all, I'm glad that the dark cloud of depression finally "took a hike". February has been the moody, sad month for me. I have to make a real effort to stay engaged and around people.

    I've done well with the weight journey, but I've been pretty much alone on the journey. Back in September, I got together with some really adventurous ladies and went roller skating a few times.

    I miss your smiling face; can't wait to see you and Ms. Joy and Randy.

  11. Posted

    SallyJo:

    I am keeping you and your daughter in my prayers. All of us are precious, fragile human beings. I especially pray that her liver and vital organs are functional again, so that she can have another chance at living.

    Sending my love to you both,

  15. Posted

    For the past 6-8 years, I've been treated successfully with a combination of:

    300 mg lithium (17 yrs)

    300 mg seroquel

    10 mg ambien

    20 mg celexa

    The lithium influenced my weight gain, especially in the early days of treatment. The ambien caused me to be really hungry before bed. Fortunately, the band does not allow for those late-night munchies.

  17. Posted

    The 18 yr old would be surprised that I am still here, alive and thriving. Young Anita would also be proud of many things:

    • that I found some self-esteem and confidence
    • that a plain-looking, 4-eyed cheerleader would become a beautiful spirit of a woman. Plain-looking is okay!
    • surprised that I still have acne, at 47
    • that I would lose my brother, husband, father, and grandma and still keep wanting to live
    • the Master's degree earned after the death of my husband, with goal of Phd
    • that I have run a training and consulting business for umpteen years
    • that I am a quirky, goofy, silly lady with a really high IQ
    • that I would overcome rejection, sexual and domestic abuse, and I refuse to tolerate it
    • that I would find my own identity (eventually), no matter how controlling and critical my Mother is
    • that I learned to live well with Bipolar illness
    • most of all, that I would have this beautiful, precious daughter, who would grow up to be a beautiful, brilliant woman. She gave me a reason to live when I ran out of reasons!:clap2:

  19. Posted

    Hi All!

    Thanks for reminding me that I am not alone on this journey. Hugs to you all.:girl_hug:

    Yvonne:

    I've been banded for 5 months, and I haven't noticed any change in my mental status. I suspect that my meds may need to be reduced a bit. What I have noticed is that as the weight comes off, I have more energy to exercise; I have more stamina; and I feel a sense of accomplishment. I don't seem to be as self-critical, and I'm a bit more forgiving of my faults, my illness, and my mistakes.

    Keep posting; this thread is so therapeutic! :)

  20. Posted

    As a fellow "nutter", I admire you for being victorious against bipolar illness, because it isn't easy to live with. I was diagnosed in my 20's, and I am now 47. I've been diligent about taking my meds (lithium, seroquel, ambien, and celexa) and mindful of when I'm feeling too low or too agitated. Rarely, maybe once a year, I have periods of sadness. Usually my unstable moments appear when there is family conflict/drama. I spend a lot of my free time helping those who are homeless (many are mentally ill) and isolated because I realize that I am only "a few meds and a few paychecks away" from being on the street myself. There, but for the grace of God, go I.

    Thank you for sharing about bipolar illness; it reminds me that I am not alone.:clap2:

  23. Posted

    Boo Boo Kitty: You are so compassionate and eloquent, young lady! I am honored to know you.

    The best revenge for hateful people is to maintain the highest integrity, succeed in areas where others fall short, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them (from a distance).

  25. Posted

    This was such an interesting thread, so I'll jump in. Thanks, Boo-Boo Kitty and TOM for some very eloquent points of view. All I can speak of is my own experience.

    I'm 47, raised in Houston during "Jim Crow" era. No Affirmative Action then, but the so-called "Race Card" determined that I could only be born in a sub-standard hospital for coloreds. The next "Race Card" was played when, as a 4 yr old girl, I was consistently referred to as a monkey. I was not allowed to walk into the front door of a store, or play in any public park. I could not pee in public bathrooms; I had to squat by the car.

    As a child, I thought my name was "Nigger"; my Mom, Dad, and my brother were all named the same thing. As I got older, I saw another Race Card" played when I saw people on T.V. with fire hoses washing "negroes" down the street, and state troopers blocking negroes from going to a "white" school.

    I scrubbed my skin so hard, to try to wash the black off; I wanted to be white soo badly. Blacks, Negroes, Coloreds were spit on, hated, and had to "stay in their place". Klansmen and the local police drove through our community, just to scare us and stopping my parents to threaten or abuse them. I was always terrified that my parents would be hurt or killed, just for being black, coming home from work. (BTW, my Mom is a Biochemist, hired by Dr. DeBakey for heart transplant surgery, and my Dad was a pharmacist; still being called "boy" and "girl").

    As I got older, I realized that I:

    1)would always wear this skin

    2) that I wasn't a monkey

    3) that I was a smart, loving kid who loved diverse cultures and meeting people from all over the world.

    I graduated at the top of my class, got into college without needing an Affirmative Action "race card," got my masters and I'm currently working on a Phd. I have owned a Consulting firm (no federal funds/AA) for 27 years. I learned Spanish. I have spent the bulk of my adult life bringing diverse cultures together, knocking down the walls of ignorance and name-calling; inspiring others to see the similarities that humans have with each other.

    Oh-and I like to roller skate! lol

    Am I angry at how I've been treated? I don't know anything different. This is the only life I know. If I can help people to see that MOST of our differences are internal and cognitive, rather than just skin color, then my life will have been worth all the slurs, name-calling, despair, "race carding", and outright prejudice that I've experienced, and continue to experience.

    I am SO grateful that I learned to love myself (finally), and ALL of my fellow mankind, (dogs, cats, and fish!) in spite of the nastiness and denial of ignorant folks.

    Just one black woman's experience.

    What would I like to be called?

    ANITA.

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